The Registered Nurse Veteran Health Education Coordinator (VHEC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based Veteran health education. May provide educational instruction and training for Veterans. The VHEC understands instructional design, implementation, and application related to Veteran health education needs and training
Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12733048. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience: MSN Preferred Minimum 5 years of nursing experience Demonstration of successful prior educational/program management or development experience Formal experience as a Clinical Educator preferred Demonstrated experience in coordination and facilitation of patient and staff teaching Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and other services Documented evidence of ability to develop patient education materials Documented evidence of ability to develop policies and procedures Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling to meet program/unit outcomes Effective communication skills with team, individuals and groups Experience with scholarship coordination and budget Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
The VHEC assumes the following major functions/duties and responsibilities expected of the role: 1. Responsible for the implementation, coordination, and oversight for the development and delivery of Veterans Health Education & Information (VHEI) Program. 2. Serves as resource person and consultant for problem solving in VHEI organizational programs. 3. Approving official for fund control points. Develops VHEI program budget. 4. Serves as the principal point of contact for all Veterans health education communications and reporting within the facility, among the facilities in the VISN, with the national office of VHEI, and other VHA program offices. 5. Functions as the designated focal point, coordinator, advocate and liaison for all Veterans and family health education initiatives, programs, and activities. 6. Consultant for patient centered outcome measures related to Veterans health education and information including but not limited to discharge instruction, patient safety initiatives, and inpatient and outpatient measures that affect patient health outcomes. 7. Provides leadership and serves as a mentor for evidence-based practice (EBP) to VASDHS nursing staff. 8. Coordinates and provides hospital wide nursing educational programs and activities as needed. 9. Serves as a consultant to unit-based committees and other interdisciplinary task forces and committees as appropriate. 10. Actively participates on National Center of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) Integration and VHEI calls. Serves on NCP workgroups. 11. Functions in classroom teaching environments, clinical arenas, and as a group facilitator during training and implementation of changes in nursing related Veterans health education and information including computer applications. 12. Serve as chair or member for VASDHS councils, task forces and committees as appropriate. 13. Member of the VASDHS Health Promotion Disease Prevention Committee, Professional Development and Education Council, Get Well Network Workgroup, Whole Health Committee, Veterans Experience Council, and other committees as assigned. AdHoc member of Flu Planning Committee and Pain Council. May serve in leadership role such as chair or co-chair. 14. Serves as a facilitator for the following staff education programs: Patient Education for Success: TEACH, Motivational Interviewing, and Clinician Coaching facilitator. 15. Participates in regulatory initiatives including The Joint Commission (TJC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Office of Inspector General (OIG) and other accreditation bodies and initiatives. 16. Disseminates accreditation standards and ensures staff compliance with TJC and other regulatory agency requirements related to VHEI program. 17. Serves as a consultant in chart audits and reviews in conjunction with performance improvement and develops documentation in CPRS with Clinical Informatics related to education. 18. Collaborates with VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance improvement projects. 19. Serves as a consultant related to health literacy including verbiage on health education and information. 20. Provides consultation, facilitates, and authors on policies and procedures. 21. Coordinates with CNS/Clinical Nurse Educator team to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units. 22. Presents at Central Nursing Orientation (CNO) and provider coverage for CNO when needed. 23. Assists with Nursing Education programs such as, but not limited to VA Student Training Experience Program (VA-STEP), Post Baccalaureate RN Residency (PB-RNR) Program, and RN Transition to Practice (TTP) Program. 24. Responsible for National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) and VANEEP scholarship programs. 25. Participates and reviews Joint Patient Safety Reporting (JPSR), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Mock Tracers and sentinel events. 26. Provides direct and indirect care for patients throughout VASDHS when appropriate. 27. Documents all direct patient care provided using the electronic health record (EHR), according to unit and facility policies and procedures. 28. Performs other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: M-F, 0730 - 1600 Compressed/Flexible: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required